Course Objectives
Applied Physics aims to give an understanding of this world both by observation and by prediction
of the way in which objects behave. Concrete use of physical principles and analysis in various fields
of engineering and technology are given prominence in the course content. The course will help the
diploma engineers to apply the basic concepts and principles to solve broad-based engineering problems and to understand different technology based applications.
Teaching Approach
Teachers should give examples from daily routine as well as, engineering/technology applications on various concepts and principles in each topic so that students are able to understand and grasp these concepts and principles. In all contents, SI units should be followed.
Use of demonstration can make the subject interesting and develop scientific temper in the
students. Student activities should be planned on all the topics.
Activity- Theory - Demonstrate/practice approach may be followed throughout the course so
that learning may be outcome and employability based.
Course Content
UNIT - 1: Wave motion and its applications
Wave motion, transverse and longitudinal waves with examples, definitions of wave velocity, frequency and wave length and their relationship, Sound and light waves and their properties, wave
equation (y = r sinωt) amplitude, phase, phase difference, principle of superposition of waves and
beat formation.
Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM): definition, expression for displacement, velocity, acceleration, time
period, frequency etc. Simple harmonic progressive wave and energy transfer, study of vibration of
cantilever and determination of its time period, Free, forced and resonant vibrations with examples.
Acoustics of buildings – reverberation, reverberation time, echo, noise, coefficient of absorption of
sound, methods to control reverberation time and their applications, Ultrasonic waves – Introduction and properties, engineering and medical applications of ultrasonic.
UNIT - 2: Optics
Basic optical laws; reflection and refraction, refractive index, Images and image formation by mirrors,
lens and thin lenses, lens formula, power of lens, magnification and defects. Total internal reflection,
Critical angle and conditions for total internal reflection, applications of total internal reflection in
optical fiber.
Optical Instruments; simple and compound microscope, astronomical telescope in normal adjustment, magnifying power, resolving power, uses of microscope and telescope, optical projection systems.
UNIT - 3: Electrostatics
Coulombs law, unit of charge, Electric field, Electric lines of force and their properties, Electric flux,
Electric potential and potential difference, Gauss law: Application of Gauss law to find electric field
intensity of straight charged conductor, plane charged sheet and charged sphere.
Capacitor and its working, Types of capacitors, Capacitance and its units. Capacitance of a parallel
plate capacitor, Series and parallel combination of capacitors (related numerical), dielectric and its
effect on capacitance, dielectric break down.
UNIT - 4: Current Electricity
Electric Current and its units, Direct and alternating current, Resistance and its units, Specific resistance, Conductance, Specific conductance, Series and parallel combination of resistances. Factors
affecting resistance of a wire, carbon resistances and colour coding.
Ohm’s law and its verification, Kirchhoff’s laws, Wheatstone bridge and its applications (slide wire
bridge only), Concept of terminal potential difference and Electro motive force (EMF)
Heating effect of current, Electric power, Electric energy and its units (related numerical problems),
Advantages of Electric Energy over other forms of energy.
UNIT - 5: Electromagnetism
Types of magnetic materials; dia, para and ferromagnetic with their properties, Magnetic field and its
units, magnetic intensity, magnetic lines of force, magnetic flux and units, magnetization.
Concept of electromagnetic induction, Faraday’s Laws, Lorentz force (force on moving charge in mag
netic field). Force on current carrying conductor, force on rectangular coil placed in magnetic field.
Moving coil galvanometer; principle, construction and working, Conversion of a galvanometer into
ammeter and voltmeter.
UNIT - 6: Semiconductor Physics
Energy bands in solids, Types of materials (insulator, semi-conductor, conductor), intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors, p-n junction, junction diode and V-I characteristics, types of junction diodes.
Diode as rectifier – half wave and full wave rectifier (centre taped).
Transistor; description and three terminals, Types- pnp and npn, some electronic applications (list
only).
Photocells, Solar cells; working principle and engineering applications.
UNIT - 7: Modern Physics
Lasers: Energy levels, ionization and excitation potentials; spontaneous and stimulated emission;
population inversion, pumping methods, optical feedback, Types of lasers; Ruby, He-Ne and semiconductor, laser characteristics, engineering and medical applications of lasers.
Fiber Optics: Introduction to optical fibers, light propagation, acceptance angle and numerical aperture, fiber types, applications in; telecommunication, medical and sensors.
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: Introduction, nanoparticles and nanomaterials, properties at nanoscale, nanotechnology, nanotechnology based devices and applications.
Learning Outcome:
After undergoing this subject, the student will be able to;
a) Describe waves and wave motion, periodic and simple harmonic motions and solve simple
problems. Establish wave parameters: frequency, amplitude, wavelength, and velocity and
able to explain diffraction, interference, polarization of waves.
b) Explain ultrasonic waves and engineering, medical and industrial applications of Ultrasonics.
Apply acoustics principles to various types of buildings for best sound effect.
c) State basic optical laws, establish the location of the images formed by mirrors and thin converging lens, design and assemble microscope using lenses combination.
d) Describe refractive index of a liquid or a solid and will be able to explain conditions for total
internal reflection.
e) Define capacitance and its unit, explain the function of capacitors in simple circuits, and solve
simple problems.
f) Differentiate between insulators, conductors and semiconductors, and define the terms: potential, potential difference, electromotive force.
g) Express electric current as flow of charge, concept of resistance, measure of the parameters:
electric current, potential difference, resistance.
h) List the effects of an electric current and its common applications, State Ohm’s law, calculate
the equivalent resistance of a variety of resistor combinations, distinguish between AC and
DC currents, determine the energy consumed by an appliance,
puters, LED, photocells, solar lights etc.
l) Illustrate the conditions for light amplification in various LASER and laser based instruments
and optical devices.
m) Appreciate the potential of optical fiber in fields of medicine and communication.
n) Express importance of nanoscience and nanotechnology and impact of nanotechnology to
the society
References:
1. Text Book of Physics for Class XI& XII (Part-I, Part-II); N.C.E.R.T., Delhi
2. Applied Physics, Vol. I and Vol. II, TTTI Publications, Tata McGraw Hill, Delhi
3. Concepts in Physics by HC Verma, Vol. I & II, Bharti Bhawan Ltd. New Delhi
4. Engineering Physics by PV Naik, Pearson Education Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi.
5. Modern approach to Applied Physics-I and II, AS Vasudeva, Modern Publishers.
6. A Textbook of Optics, N Subramanyam, Brij Lal, MN Avahanulu, S Chand and Company Ltd.
7. Introduction to Fiber Optics, Ajoy Ghatak and K Thyagarajan, Cambridge University Press
India Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi.
8. Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, KK Choudhary, Narosa Publishing House, Pvt. Ltd. New
Delhi.
9. Nanotechnology: Importance and Applications, M.H. Fulekar, IK International Publishing
House Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi.
10. e-books/e-tools/ learning physics software/websites etc.